This course focuses on teaching students to use the human form to express emotion, energy and character through working on a series of sculptures. Students will focus on understanding how to use different forms and compositions to express the character of the pose and to understand subtlety in the choice in forms, textures and materials. This course offers students an opportunity to work with different materials, to try something a bit different and loosen up your sculptural techniques. It is suitable for beginners to advanced students. Our experienced tutor will show beginners a step-by-step approach to figure modelling, and will work with more advanced students to push their work forward in their own way. Working with small dynamic standing poses in Super Sculpey as well as two seated poses in clay.

This course is suitable for students at our Beginner + level.

Beginner +

Choose a Beginner + course if you are looking to hone your skills, focus on a specific subject area and build your confidence. These courses are suitable for those with some basic skills in and knowledge of the taught medium, but still follow a structured path with guidance from the tutor.

Other course levels include:

Beginner

Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Students spend time learning the very basics of the taught medium, for example, how to mix colours, use different tools, set up an easel. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience, they tend to follow a more structured path than our other courses, ensuring each student receives the guidance they need from the tutor.

Intermediate

Our Intermediate courses are suitable for students who have considerable prior knowledge of the taught medium or have completed a Beginners/Beginners + course with the Art Academy.

These courses tend to be less structured and instead are tailored to the classes’ needs and the direction they want to advance in. Choose an Intermediate course if you are looking to improve your skills and have more critical discussions around the work you produce.

Advanced

Choose our Advanced courses if you have considerable knowledge in the taught medium. You are expected to be able to work independently and have critical discussions around your work.

Our Advanced courses include our Masterclasses.

All attendees must be aged 18 or over.

What should I bring?

Are there any other costs?

Hollowing and Firing

At the end of the course students are given the option to leave their sculptures for hollowing and firing. There is a charge of £15-£20 for hollowing plus £15-£20 for firing. Hollowing is necessary before a piece can be fired and the piece should normally be ready for collection about 6-8 weeks after the course ends. This is payable by cash or cheque only before leaving the course. A form will need to be completed. There is a cashpoint nearby at Sainsbury’s.

Additional Costs

The dynamic figures made in Super Sculpey can be created using a wire armature and then simply baked in the oven and coloured. This will all be completed during the course. The seated figure will be created with the ceramic clay and hollowed for firing after the end of the course ready for collection within approx 4 – 8 weeks. This course is unique in that you will end up with these 3 completed sculptures, rather than having the normal issues of expensive moulding and casting to get a finished piece.

Materials available to buy from us at the start of the course (unless a more advanced student is following their own programme)

Super Sculpey (454g 1Ib) – £9.50

Copper Wire (mixed) – £5.00

Any additional clay figures completed during the class will incur further firing fees £20 per piece.

Hollowing is necessary before pieces can be fired. Should students prefer to maximise their modelling experience, they can arrange with the tutor to have their piece hollowed for an additional fee. The cost for hollowing is £20 for a head or large figure, £15 for a small figure.

What else can I bring each lesson?

You should bring as much from the below lists as possible. In some cases we can provide selected equipment:

Wooden clay modeling tools

Callipers for measuring (medium-sized)

Metal tape measure

Wire cutter

Water spray bottle

Cocktail sticks

Masking tape

Black bin liner

Drawing implement (pencil, pen, or charcoal)

Sketchpad / loose leaf paper

Apron or old clothing

Camera for documenting your progress

About Your Tutor

JESSICA WETHERLY

Jessica has developed a practise transitioning between drawing, sculpture and installation, working in a variety of materials and scales. She aims to help her students build a firm foundation of skills whilst encouraging creative experimentation based upon the founding methodology at The Art Academy and Central Saint Martins where she studied. Her technique combines a structural approach combined with an animated surface application aiming to express simplicity from complex form. Jessica has taught at various schools and institutions across the country including The British Museum and setting up Stanton Group Studios in Ludlow with Mark Richards RBS. She also works with some of the UK’s leading practitioners in figurative sculpture and incorporates the skills and techniques learnt into her teaching practise.

All students have access to a common room and kitchen. Here you will find tea and coffee, a fridge, kettle, microwave and eating area.

There is a wealth of supermarkets, shops and cafes in the area as well as the world famous Borough Food Market just moments from our Mermaid Court location.

We are always striving to improve our facilities but due Mermaid Court being an old building we have limited disability access. Should you have any access requirements please speak to a member of the Academy team before booking the course.

Further Details

You will need to have paid in full before the first session of your class. Your place is not guaranteed until we have received full payment.Please book early in order to guarantee your place on the course.

If you purchased a pack online this will be given to you on the first session of your course upon your arrival. Packs can be booked on our Materials Page or on this page when you book the course.

Please don’t wear your best clothes as there is always a chance you will get messy. If possible bring an apron or overalls.

All artwork at the Academy MUST be taken home at the end of the course or it will be disposed of.

Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or is on silentduring the class.

Health and Safety Guidelines will be provided to you at the beginning of your class.

Sometimes our photographer will pop in to get some of our classes in progress. If you would like to not be photographed please let the photographer know!

To find out more about what’s going on at the Academy follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. If you’d like to share images of your course, your progress or your finished work we’d love to see them! Please bear in mind you must have the permission of tutors, other students and models to photograph them.

If you would like more information or advice on courses at the Academy please contact shortcourses@artacademy.org.uk.